Float Builder's Manual

Upper Arlington Civic Association’s 4th of July Celebration FLOAT BUILDER’S MANUAL TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1 Getting Started 2 Creating Your Float 2-3 Fundraising 3 Construction 3-5 Hay Wagons 4 Basic Framework 4-5 Decorating 5-8 Safety Considerations 5 Pomps 6 Papier- Mache 7 Finishing Touches 7-8 Special Effects 8-10 Power Sources 9 Animation 9 Sound 10 Lights 10 Entertainment 10 Materials 11 Odds and Ends 11-12 Helpful Websites 12 Introduction Bruce Frank first wrote this manual in the early ‘80s. Bruce is not only a past Parade Chairman, but also directed the building of entries that won prestigious “Best of Parade” trophies in 1983 and 1984. Bruce put together this “how-to” guide to help others take the plunge into float building with as much knowledge as possible. Once you understand the basics, you can let your imagination run wild. And the basics aren’t that difficult. With very few exceptions, there are not hard and fast rules for float building. Those that are given are exclusively for the safety of all parade participants and your neighbors along the route. Revised 2007, 2012 Page 1 Getting Started “The longest journey begins with just a single step.” You’ve heard that before and it’s certainly true in building a July 4th float. The best first step is to get a steering group organized. There are several ways to get the core of a committee together. First, you may already know two or three neighbors who would love to get involved. Make a few calls and see if they are interested. Another approach is to send a neighborhood flyer. Run off a few copies suggesting that the neighborhood become part of the parade and schedule an introductory informational meeting. Announce the date, time and place in a flyer. You are certain to get a response. At this point, you only need about six to 12 people as the core of your group. You’ll need more when the construction begins. But don’t let a small initial turnout discourage you. At the meeting, the first task is to get your neighbors excited. You may even want to invite a representative from the parade committee to stop by. They will be a great asset in explaining the process and getting everyone excited about the float building process. This is a time when you need to line up your neighborhood team. The success of your team will depend on the commitment and dependability of those you have working with you. You can organize the committee in any way you think will work, but these are some responsibilities you need to have covered: • Float Chairperson • Treasurer • Theme and concept • Structural design • Decorating You may not need a different person for each responsibility, or you may want to create other work areas. That is up to you. This is nothing more than a guide. Take advantage of your neighbors’ talents and interests. Creating Your Float Now that you have a solid organization, it’s time to get down to the real fun of deciding what you are going to build. First, conduct a brainstorming session. Kick around the theme and have everyone share his or her own ideas. Remember, no ideas are thrown out here. That’s the concept of brainstorming. Everyone will feed off the thoughts of everyone else. Before you know it, a great idea will begin to emerge. Revised 2007, 2012 Page 2 Be sure that your float concept is consistent with the parade’s theme. The Floats will be judged on Representative of Theme, Patriotism, Design & Craftsmanship, and Entertainment Factor (variations on shapes, colors, materials, special effects and anything else that will make your float stand out from the rest of the float entries). Try to design a float concept that will be uniquely yours! Use your imagination! Fundraising Now it’s time to raise the money to pay for your float. It may come from several different sources - the Upper Arlington Civic Association funds and your own neighbors. The UACA will reimburse up to $500 to each neighborhood building a float and $150 to each qualifying service organization building a float. Receipts need to be submitted in order to receive your reimbursement money. The balance required for your float expenses needs to come from your neighborhood. Prepare a simple flyer describing what you are planning to do and have your block leaders go door-to-door for donations. Generally, you can expect $5 to $10 per household. It’s important for the block leaders to be positive and aggressive. The parade is a great Arlington tradition and neighborhood participation is the backbone of the parade. After you have your funds collected, select a treasurer. You may or may not choose to have a separate bank account: just keep good records of income and each expense. Construction Before you begin, you need to identify a place where you can actually build your float. Obviously, a neighbor with an open garage and a large driveway is a natural choice. You can expect the float building to take anywhere from 2-4 weeks. Be certain you have good outside access to electricity. You are also going to need a variety of tools: a table or circular saw, saber saw, handsaw, hammers, staple guns, and a well-stocked tool box with screwdrivers, pliers, utility knife, etc., and a long tape measure and carpenter’s square. Other tools certainly will be needed if you’re going to add animation or special effects to your float. Also, plan for protection from the weather, especially in the later stages of construction. Once you get into the decorating phase, you will need a few large sheets of plastic that can be carefully placed over your float and fastened securely. Before that, you probably will be able to pull the float back into the garage each night for protection. Revised 2007, 2012 Page 3 Floats can be built on a variety of beds: hay wagons, semi-trailers or any number of vehicles. Hay Wagons Hay wagons do make great float beds. They are sturdy, the right size and adapt easily to most float building designs you might create. The wagons are 14, 16 or 18 feet long. All lengths are 7 feet wide and 3 feet high. For many years, most Arlington floats have been built on hay wagons. Despite the fact that hay wagons are wonderful float foundations; they do have some built-in limitations. The grander your float ideas, the more limiting you may find the hay wagon to be. They always have the appearance of being “hay wagon high.” Secondly, if you want to build a very long float, you will find them difficult to adapt. Your option is to obtain a second type of farm wagon that has a telescoping center pipe. These are still available from farm implement suppliers. However, you will have to locate these and negotiate price yourself. We encourage you to call Roy Hoffman at Hoffman Farm, 800 Rome-Hilliard Rd. You can reach him at 878-5161 to reserve your wagon as soon as possible. Then you can plan around the exact measurements of the wagon you have reserved. Be sure to confirm the date you will be able to pick up your wagon (usually about a week in advance). You can certainly begin some of the pre-fabrication before that time, but the major construction will be done once the wagon arrives. All staples must be removed from your hay wagon before you return it to Hoffman Farm. Basic Framework After you have your wagon, the first step is to build the basic framework. You have to decide how elaborate your float frame must be based on its use. For example, you will need more floor strength if you plan to have riders on the float. Floats with large structures on the wagon will also need extra strength. Many floats will require that you build a frame over the existing wagon. Other designs simply use the wagon bed as is and add the superstructure needed for your design. If you are going to build a new floor over the wagon, use 2x6s or 2x8s on edge for the outer framework then run 2x4s between them side to side. In general, place these stringers no more than 16” apart for strength, if you are going to actually stand on the floor. The edges of the wagons are protected with steel bands, so you’ll have to plan your frame to fasten solidly to the wagon bed. You can toenail the frame to the wagon bed. Take note of any areas that seem to need extra support and add any braces you think are necessary. You can probably use 1x2s or something lighter for this purpose. This part of the float should be very solid. Revised 2007, 2012 Page 4 If you will have neighbors riding on the float, you’ll now want to lay a floor of inexpensive sheathing plywood over your frame - ½” should be thick enough. The plywood will also add strength and stability to the frame. Now you will begin to construct the part of your float that is more for show. At this point, you’ll definitely start working with lighter lumber in areas that won’t be supporting much weight. This superstructure will generally be used to support chicken wire, cardboard or other light decorating items. Keep in mind that the maximum float height is 13’6”. Width is restricted to 8’. There is no set limit on length.

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